FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2022 - LOVE WINS - PEACE

 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2022 - LOVE WINS - PEACE

I’ve been thinking about “peace” recently.  Like most of you, we’ve had some storms and winter weather, but the other day there was absolutely no wind.  Even now as I look out my window while writing, the tree branches are not moving (although I can hear a cardinal singing!).  

It has been peaceful around the storms.  As I normally write about spiritual things on Friday, that is my theme today.

“So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”.  John 20:21

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27

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How do you experience God’s peace?  

Here is Elijah’s experience: (1 Kings 19)

“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.”

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From Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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Okay - peace that TRANSCENDS all understanding?  (Other versions say peace that PASSES all understanding).

What kind of peace is that?  Can I even imagine it?  Is it bigger than the powerful wind that Elijah experienced? Or the earthquake that Elijah experienced?  Or the fire that Elijah experienced? My opinion is YES.  (After all in the 1 Kings 19 account, “the Lord was not in those things”.)  

It transcends / passes / is greater than all human understanding.  It is eternal, it is all-powerful.  

One website says “God’s peace is permanent and firmly grounded in his Word. He doesn’t ignore our sin—he heals it, making his peace a different kind of peace from what we find in the world.”

Let’s put things in perspective again: (from Philippians 4)

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

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So - how do we break through to God’s peace?  Easy - (so Pollyanna Karen says) - ALWAYS REJOICE in GOD; Always be in moderation; LET your requests be known to God; and ALWAYS keep your mind focused on true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy things!!!

(Well, maybe Pollyanna Karen - it isn’t quite as ‘easy’ as you think!!  You have to get the ‘junk thinking’ out of your brain - through prayer and meditation.  

I try (and sometimes succeed) in prayer and meditation.  It is easier when you live alone and are retired (of kind of retired).   

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Practicing the presence of God in my life.  Almost always when I am moving around in my apartment I am praising God.  Not big praises - just a “thank you, God”.  Sometimes a particular hymn will be in my heart and mind - and I can sing it (not very well - that is why I live alone!!!)

Many times I’ve written GIGO - Garbage In, Garbage Out.  Without a television, it is a little easier to keep the garbage from coming in.  I like - and stream - classical music (currently on a Mahler and Wagner playlist).  If I am walking, I direct classical music - which tends to put peace in my mind (or at least to crowd out some of the external issues).  

I have hand-made posters “Love Wins”, “Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind” so they catch my eye.  I don’t think I’m a spiritual fanatic, just a person trying to walk in justice, mercy and humility.  (Micah 6:8).  

I think of great examples of service, of love, of humility - like Mother Teresa and Gandhi.  Can I reach “nirvana”, “deep peace”?  Can I let love win?  Maybe!!

“Way the Peace of God that passes all understanding be yours my friends!!!

Karen

February 11, 2022